What It Means

Aqua cultured fish is fish that has been raised in a controlled environment. The term “farm raised” refers to the same thing and lately the term “ocean raised” has been used as well, now that consumers are catching on to the wild fish craze. Farm and ocean raised fish are raised in a contained environment, so even if the fish are raised in the ocean, they are still being fed a restricted diet and antibiotics.

Wild fish, like we see the term “wild Alaskan salmon” on restaurant menus, is becoming more and more rare, mostly because wild caught fish production simply cannot compete with the easily controlled farm raised fish. Still many debate the quality of the fish from fish farms in the same way that beef is undergoing a lot of scrutiny in terms of added hormones.

Impact on Nutrition

When we think about it thoroughly, animals that live in a controlled environment are fed only what the people who own then feed them. So chickens or cows that are raised on farms eat only what the companies who produce their meat give them, rather than the seeds or grass they would normally eat in the wild. They are also pumped with antibiotics and hormone to make them grow faster, in order for the companies to produce as much as possible.

The same goes for farm or ocean raised fish. Farm raised salmon is fed a limited diet and doesn’t eat the food that normally would turn their flesh that nice pink color we”ve come to expect. Instead the company who raises the salmon also feeds it a dye that turns the flesh pink. Farmed fish also has been shown to contain less of the essential fatty acids (Omega-3) that nutritionists encourage.

Antibiotics in Fish

Farm raised fish, and animals in general, are fed antibiotics to ensure their survival. Unfortunately, these antibiotics can linger in their systems for a long time, until the fish we eat at dinner contains certain levels of antibiotics. Just as we’re now learning the possible dangers of hormones in beef and chicken, the levels of antibiotics in fish may be a risk too. Another risk is that these chemicals can spill out into the ocean at large and enter into the systems of other animals and plants.

What does all this Have to do with my Diet?

By all means, continue to consume fish. Perhaps take time to ask where your fish came from, and seek out stores who still sell fresh, wild fish. As with any food, consume fish in moderation and you’ll have no problem including it as a part of your healthy, balanced diet.

Get a jump start on your personal weight loss program today.

Sources:
http://www.healthcastle.com/wildsalmon-farmraisedsalmon.shtml